Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-15

The sun had sunk below tho horizon; tho
sky became darkencd, and the lights Of the
"Namovna" moro and more dim. Fairfax
reused himself from his reverie, gave ono
last look at tho yacht, with silent prayer
for her safety and was turn ing back 10
tho world and to work, when an iron hand
was laid upon his shoulder, and clear
voice, with a slightly foreign accent
uttered tho self-snswered question;
"Mr Fairfax, bolicveW
Naturally somewhat startled, Fairfax
looked at tho face Of his intcrlocutor. In
the darkness, he could distinguish a short,
stout man with strong Napoleonic nose
and Jaw. He know it could DO no other
than LouvaiL of st, Mxlo
''Ahr' said he, quickly, "AIonsieur Jean
Louvait, I've been expecting you. am
delighted TO see YOU"
Louvait, in his turn, was surprised. How
did this man know hint Where had he
ever seen hint Again, surprising he had
seen him, how was he sware OF the pres
enee in America Of tho detective, jean
Louvait, who was supposed to be at his
post in st. Malol His respect for tee
wonderful cleverness Of this Fairfax IN
creased. Recovering himself, he said sb-
ruptly.
aWhoro is the Princess Eatshew
Fairfax made no reply, but pointed 70 tho
scarcely visible lights OF tho "Nsnovna."
Louyait looked and understood. Wfth an
oath he brought down his clonched fist
upon his thigh, and quickly turning to Fair
fax, he assumed his most pleasant smile and
held out his hand, saying;
mr.. Fairfax, you are tho most clover
man l ever saw You havo spoiled the
making of the finest detective in all Europe
am beaten, but respect you with q respect
I give 10 no other man. How did you accom-
plish itln
A little ilattered by such praise from a
man himself so able, Fairfax entered into q
more pleasant humor, and putting his arr.
through Louvaips, said:
"Fricnd Louvsit, you have not dincd. You
must be hungry. Como with me and wen
talk II all over together over bottle OF wine
and cigars. Tomorrow morning leave.
We may not meet again.
The two, detective and detected, the ono
unsuccessful, the other successful, yet do
feated, passed lo'surely over the meadow
toward Glen Gore cottage.
As they neared the house tall, muscu-
lar figure, with long, firm strides, came
swinging down tho road that wound up to
the cottage. Louvait disengaged his arm
from that Of Fairfax, with tho remark;
"Stop! think ! see friend coming"
Picking up tho dead branch Of tree he
planted himself in the newcomers path,
shouldered the limb as he would mus0et,
and assuming q bombastic attitude, called
out In mocking tones;
All. who art thou that's crossed the sea,
That dark and stormy wateri
The bird has fown, fair Natalie,
IT'S all IN vaiz va'Ts tsSJht her.
"Advance, friend, and give the counter
sign, or I'll shoot you on the spot Ny vekJ
dear, much respected and clever brothcl
detective, allow me TO inform you that
although have beaten you in every point
here is gentleman who has beaten me, and
consequently both OF us.n
Mr.. Fairfax, allow mo 10 present my
greatest rival, Jean Leroi"
"Monsieur Lerui, you must come with uf
for bite and glass of wine" said Fam
fax, shaking hands with the new conner.
Arm in arm the trio, Fairfax in the CEN
ter, sauntercd down the avenue and On
tered the cottage, where they were duly
presented to Miss Strong.
There was brilliant, II small party al
Glen Gore that evening.
Louvait and Leroi could assume at will
the role Of gentleman or peasant with
such cleyernoss that the genuine members
of either class could with difficulty be per
suaded that they beheld only veneering
Each man Of tho company was soeking &c
covorup his own individual disappointmonts
Each man had rislfed q great deal IN this
affair of the abduction. Each recognized il
tho others men of unusual ability, ol
extraordinary courage and determination
and each was bent upon creating In the
others a favorable opinion as regards him
self.
That little dining-room re-echoed will
such brilliant salles Of wit, such astonlsh
ing anecdotes, such narvellously keen
opinions OF men and mattere in general, thai
Miss Strong listened In pure delight and
wonder. She afterward declared that, al
though II had been her good fortune Il
hear some of the brightest wits and table
takers of the day, she had mover before
listened to such q meteorically-brilliant dis
play Of conversational ability.
After dinner the mon fingered over
their wine and cigars. Fairfax took adj
vantage of temporary lull In the CONVEX
sation TO say;
''AIr. Louvait, you are anxious to hear
my story. will tell you with pleasure
but only on one condition. First, however,
let me inform you that tho Princess Natalie
Radzlwill is now on hor way back to Europe
under tho protection of the Lady Lydia
L. |roadacres,n
lro BE Continued